Creamy Corn Salad Jalapeño (Printable)

Sweet corn mixed with fresh veggies and a creamy, tangy dressing with a jalapeño kick.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 cups fresh corn kernels, fresh or frozen and thawed
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
04 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
05 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
06 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Dressing

07 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
08 - 1/4 cup sour cream
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

# Directions:

01 - If using fresh corn, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add corn kernels and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until just tender. Drain and allow to cool completely.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the corn, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, red onion, jalapeño, and cilantro.
03 - In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
04 - Pour the dressing over the vegetable mixture and toss until all ingredients are evenly coated.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Chill for at least 30 minutes for optimal flavor development, or serve immediately.
06 - Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The creaminess comes together in minutes, but tastes like you spent way more effort than you did.
  • Jalapeño gives it just enough personality that it never feels boring, even as a fifth serving of the same salad.
  • It actually gets better the longer it sits in the fridge, which means less stress about timing.
02 -
  • Don't skip cooling the corn before mixing—warm corn will cook the cilantro and make the whole thing taste muted instead of fresh.
  • The jalapeño seeds are where the heat lives, so if you're nervous about spice, remove them completely and your version will be gentle and welcoming.
03 -
  • Taste the corn before you commit—some ears are naturally sweeter, and that changes how much lime juice you'll actually need.
  • If your dressing breaks or looks separated, whisk in a teaspoon of water and it will come back together like magic.
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